If its a wallhanging I don't prewash...if its for use...definitely!!!

I got some fabric from my MIL's stash before she had a yard sale - a very pretty blue with a tiny pattern. I washed the fabric since it was pretty old and used it in a quilt. When I put the binding on, I noticed that my fingers were turning blue - from that bleedin' blue fabric. I ended up washing this quilt 9 times before it was done. Let's just say that the feel and look of the pieces had changed dramatically. It is now a picknick quilt and I am much more careful with the scraps I accept.

I always prewash, starch and iron. When I wash the completed quilt, I wash in cold water and with a color catcher.
I have advised my family to do the same. Whether they do or not, is up to them. So far, so good.

Charyl, I was taught years ago just to dampen in the sink in the water temp I would be washing the quilt in, spin dry, and then starch and iron or to put the pieces into a lingerie bag and dry. I don't usually put them in the dryer; I have an Amish clothes rack that I dry strips and smaller pieces on. That way they don't shred in the process.

Instead of prewashing I spray the fabric with Magic Sizing and iron it BEFORE cutting. It shrinks the fabric some and also makes it easy to handle while cutting and sewing. Magic Sizing gives light body, not a heavy starch.

You would be doing us all a favor if you told us where you bought it, so we don't make the same mistake.

[QUOTE=carolaug;5247390]I bought some fabric...which for one was cheaper quaility...I will behave and not say where...it feels stiff and I figured I would try not prewashing and just cut...than starch and iron. My 10 inch squares were ......"

I prewashed fabric from a kit and ended up with a tangled, frayed mess also. I understand why everyone says to prewash, but I sure don't want the frayed mess again!! Any comments on how to avoid the tangled messes?

I never pre wash my fabric. I like how the quilt looks before it is washed as much as after it is washed. I post wash baby quilts, but others are given out unwashed with instructions. That is unless I do not use red in it. So far I have not had problems. No complaints.